By SANFROSSA MANYINDA
CHINGOLA Municipal Council has intensified inspections to rid the mining town of illegal land dealers, who were wantonly demarcating and allocating land to unsuspecting residents.
Chingola Mayor Titus Tembo, said more illegal dealers were still appearing in court for the illegal allocation of land in the district.
Mr Tembo however said that such cases were likely to increase especially when parliament is dissolved.
He observed that such cases increased when parliament dissolves because people feel they no longer have representation.
Mr Tembo said in an interview that the local authority had partnered with both state police in ensuring that the situation did not get out of hand.
Chingola is one of the districts on the Copperbelt that has been experiencing rampant illegal land allocation.
“We have formed a task force to intensify patrols in areas we feel are more vulnerable to the illegal allocation of land. We have in the past seen that these kinds of illegalities become common when parliament is dissolved,” he said.
Mr Tembo advised the residents to always deal with the council or Ministry of Lands and ensure that they follow law at all the time.
He challenged people who wished to acquire parcels of land from individuals to demand for proper documentation and go to the council for verification and inspection.
Mr Tembo added that the council would continue acting within its legal mandate as enshrined in the Urban and Regional Planning Act to always do what was right on such matters.
